Threats The "true" D. auriculatus, D. auriculatus A, was formerly abundant but has experienced major, unexplained declines since the late 1960s to 1970s, disappearing from large areas of optimal, undisturbed habitat. They are now found in less than 1 percent of their former range. Although it persists at several sites in southern Georgia and northern Florida, it has seemed to have disappeared entirely from peninsular Florida. The exact causes of these declines remain unknown, as other salamanders inhabiting the areas, including other Desmognathus species, have not seen the same declines experienced by D. auriculatus. References Salamanders of Georgia and South Carolina: Southern Dusky Salamander Herps of Texas: Desmognathus auriculatus auriculatus Amphibians of the United States Endemic fauna of the United States Fauna of the Southeastern United States Amphibians described in 1838